studio3z photography {the blog}

If you have landed here...bless your soul. Welcome to our little tiny corner of the cyber world, based out of Cincinnati, Ohio. Below you will see favorites from our sessions we do professionally, and also loads of personal nonsense that we hope at least will entertain you. If nothing less, you can keep up on our adorable children. Really, they are worth the trip back here time and time again in and of itself.

My name is Jess. My hubby is Brett. We are crazy about each other, our 4 babies, and our art. Welcome to our world.

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Monthly Archives: October 2009

I feel like this week has been one giant sigh….you know those kind of weeks. Here’s an example from this morning. About 15 minutes after cleaning and vacuuming our playroom/soon to be office, it looked like this.

***INSERT MAJOR SIGH*** A sigh is so totally necessary in this case so one doesn’t go insane, and take all in reach with them…..YEP.

I’ve been feeling horrible about the office situation. We had our office in the dining room for months and finally it drove me mad. The only logical place is the small room off of our family room which currently is the playroom, otherwise known as the “dump-toys-and-all-other-random-things” room. I feel guilty for taking over this space, and painting over the room that I did for the kids a few years back….but it’s the only way at this time. And they have a bazillion other “play” areas around here. So, tomorrow we begin this project. Wish us luck.

Here’s a little photo that made me happy today. Gabe has learned when the camera comes out, the “cheestastic” face goes on. I have laughed so much at this photo today…I just had to show off my little ham.

More goodness coming soon from our shoots in California, so keep an eye out.

Renotta -Jess: from another mother of four – been there, done that and bought the T-shirt! Just know that it WILL get better and you will look back at this picture with fond memories. Cherish each day and know that your children love to play and create. Life and these “sigh” moments all pass so quickly. Love you!

November 1, 2009 - 1:48 am

Nessa-I gotta tell you, it makes me smile that I am NOT ALONE! LOL my office is in our loft and is currently surrounded by craft projects and puzzles, and our downstairs playroom looks exactly like yours!

Maya Laurent-I feel so much better now that I see this photo! I feel like we’re always in this mix of toys/office space. And can I just say that Zane would die at the amount of train track you guys have!!!

A couple weekends ago, Brett and I had the pleasure of going out to the Southern California area for some photo sessions! We had such a great (but quick) few days there, and this was our first session that weekend.

Random side note****If you follow us on Twitter, you may remember me loosing my phone while in Cali. I actually lost it while out scouting locations for this shoot…I ended up finding it, and got it back!***End of random side note.

When we arrived at this family’s GORGEOUS home, Bella was ready to dance and make silly faces…

shannon-these are awesome!! i love the last one of mom and dad…stunning!
what a beautiful family!

October 26, 2009 - 6:34 pm

Emilie-This is so fun!!! I love the pics of the kids hugging!
Love the first pics! This little girl is so cute!!!!

October 26, 2009 - 7:17 pm

Susan Solo-The pictures of Jaxson and Bella together on the beach (both the shot of them running and then hugging) completely melted my heart, and they’re not even my kids. So I can imagine the parents must be absolutely in love with those shots!

Lorenzo -Jess & Brett … thank you so much for your time + work. The pics are wonderful and we cant wait to see the rest! Jess… your persistent patience with Jax paid off. I really love your creative eye. You both really know how to capture it all!!!

I walked by to see Gabe making some kind of creation. I heard him singing to himself, and the closer I got I heard:

“happy birf-day to Gabie, haapy birf-day to GABIE”

The kids and I all joined in the singing….which seemed to shock him a bit.

But then he got really excited, like it really was his birthday.

Then he so adorably proceeded to blow out his “cracker candles” on his watermelon cake.

And continued to decorate away….

It’s these little simple things in life that I adore the most. They remind me of how beautiful each and every day should be. And with all that I have going on, this is what I needed to be reminded of today.

betsy-So precious!!!!!! Love that you had your camera ready to capture it!

October 22, 2009 - 5:48 pm

Dana Halvorson-Wow! How great is it that you captured this with photos. Things like this happen often, but we don’t always remember them- unless- you catch and preserve them with photos. Glad you took the opportunity to run for your camera. <3

October 22, 2009 - 11:10 pm

gina@kiwistreetstudios-i would be nothing if it weren’t for my girls;)
let us never forget that!
beautiful post jess.

October 23, 2009 - 8:45 pm

alexandra hodges -sooo cute!!!

October 23, 2009 - 9:05 pm

alexandra hodges -Oh I also noticed your official website page is similar to mine (www.alexandrahodges.blogspot.com) Have a wonderful weekend with your munchkins!…and your hubby, of course.

The wedding of Maggie and Nathan was a direct reflection of who these two are- sincere, simple, loving, and intimate. I first “met” Maggie via email over a year ago. She wrote me out of the blue telling me how she wasn’t engaged yet, but when it happened she knew she wanted us. Since then she has been an avid blog follower and all around studio3z supporter. When she wrote me saying she was engaged, and was ready to book, I was SOOO excited!! It meant so much to be there for her on her big day because I knew just how much the photographs would mean to her.

Then I got an email that she moved her wedding date from May 2010, to October 2009. Well, we did some shifting of things around, and we made it happen. And I can’t tell you how glad I am we did. Brett and I just adore Maggie and Nathan, and seeing the love they share with one another and their amazing families warmed our hearts immensely.

Maggie and Nathan were married at her parents’ home. The small intimate ceremony went perfectly and was filled with so much emotion…truly a beautiful day.

Maggie had this adorable grin on her face while getting ready. Every now and then she busted out with a, “I can’t believe this! I am getting married TODAY!”

As she was getting her dress on she was trying to remain calm. She was breathing and trying her hardest not to cry.

Nathan and the boys were off-site getting ready.
Check out his amazing smile!

Hellllllo good looking!

Maggie was such a STUNNING bride…

as she was walking out her front door I said, “STOP!! Come back!”

Nathan wasn’t so bad himself.

Maggie and her beautiful girls!!

I don’t even know what to say except, I dig!

A few final touches….

so lovely….

she was peeking out the window down to the ceremony site.

Right before the ceremony Maggie lost it when her Mom came over to hug her. So so sweet.

Their ceremony was in their front yard, under this amazingly decorated tree.

One of the most sweet and heartfelt ceremonies.

Then we played around with the bridal party…

Can you guess which half of studio3z shot this? Can you guess where he was?

Yep. TOTALLY WORTH IT though.

Their first dance was sweet as could be.

Later we went out to do portraits of the two of them.

We can’t say “Thank you” enough that they set aside time to spend with us. It paid off…these are some of my favorite I’ve ever taken.

so in love with this shot!!!

We went looking for Brett who we found (oblivious) laying in Poison Ivy. Yeah. Not cool.

He’s had it since then….but he got this rad ring shot in return.

So I kept telling her how she looks like Natalie Portman, but laying here she reminded me of Angelina Jolie. I think it’s safe to say, Maggie, you are GORGEOUS!!!

I’m thinking canvas for this….YEP for sure!!

(Brett, I forgive you for making us walk down that hill.)

Maggie, thanks for your patience. Nathan clued me in on how anxious you were to see the photos!!

What can I say about you two?? You are so sweet, kind, beautiful inside and out, and your love for each other and God is so evident in everything you say and do. It makes us so happy to be a small part of your journey, and we can’t wait to see you go through the years together.

Thank you so much for having us there on your big day! You both are just beyond precious.

Susan Solo-STUNNING! That field is a total photographic gold mine. Love, love, love all of these x 100.

October 19, 2009 - 7:23 pm

gina@kiwistreetstudios-brett and jess, these are some of theeee most beautiful images ever!!! the time you two took after the ceremony was so completely worth it…just LOOK at what you captured for them;)
breathtaking, really!

October 19, 2009 - 7:45 pm

Natalie Marquis-I cried. You captured it as perfectly as it was. I love your work!

October 19, 2009 - 7:53 pm

Gail-SO SO SOOOOOOO beautiful! My favorites are the ring shot (gotta give Brett some credit for that one!) and the shot right above it – straight outta a magazine girl!!!! What a STUNNING couple!

Jessica-These photos honestly made me tear up. I randomly came across your blog because I have an obsession with photography and related blogs. I love your work and just might be one of those girls who asks you to photograph my wedding (if i ever get married) !

Maya Laurent-Wowzer!!! These portraits are stunning!!!!! You guys knocked this out!

October 20, 2009 - 3:31 pm

shannon-i just found your site today and thank goodness i did!!! your work is absolutely amazing!! i’m in blown away…jaw on the ground.
i’m so excited to follow your work and watch what you do! amazing!!!

Christy -These are so BEAUTIFUL! Each picture is better than the next!

October 21, 2009 - 12:19 am

lucy -you guys rocked the camera…again! such a beautiful couple. such a sweet wedding. this shoot looks so organic in the midst of tradition. love it.

October 21, 2009 - 6:36 am

Alex-Definetly one of the greatest shots you´ve taken so far! Great portraits, awesoe details and perfect capturing of emotions! Best from Germany, Alex

October 21, 2009 - 8:25 am

Kim -They are incredible photos, Jessica (and Brett ) My favorite are the ones Brett took from the tree. She is way prettier than both stars you mentioned. Extremely photogenic. The photos are amazing considering they were taken at her parents home – you’d never really know it. You did a great job hiding things in the background. Wish you all would post daily. Go shoot some more so you can!

October 21, 2009 - 10:48 am

Katie-These images are spectacular! I love that she let her hair down after the ceremony. Sooo beautiful. These photos are just gorgeous!

Katie O-I never, ever comment on other photographer’s blogs…but WOW. This particular set of photos… who seriously couldn’t comment and tell you how incredible they are?! BEAUTIFUL!

October 21, 2009 - 7:00 pm

Lauren-These wedding photos are just gorgeous!!!!! They have a “Anthropologie” feel to them. Love it and LOVE her dress!! Great job again guys

October 21, 2009 - 8:58 pm

mel-rad. so glad she took her hair down for some shots! it was stunning up, but DANG beeeautiful down!! i agree with bobbi. that shot is perfect. though the kissing with the grass in the foreground…makes me feel warm and fuzzy. well down folks!! way to be hot, bride and groom!

alexandra hodges -absolutely gorgeous! and she so does look like natalie portman…i couldn’t think of who she looked like until i saw your comment

October 27, 2009 - 1:03 am

Lorenzo -Too capture these kind of moments … on such a special day … almost (Ok I said almost) makes me want to say “I do” all over again. If this isn’t inspired motivation to start pointing & clicking again …then nothing is! Thanks Jess + Brett !!!

October 28, 2009 - 11:57 pm

karen-Love this wedding. So beautiful and innocent. I love how she just let her hair down after the ceremony. Absolutely stunning!

Mom -As the mother of the groom, I am so amazed that you captured not only the event with such detail, but the emotions of the entire day as well! I still tear up looking at these shots… and I look at them often! Looking at these photo’s I can re-live each second of the day with such happiness. Thank you for sharing that day with us and doing such a fantastic job!

December 8, 2009 - 3:31 am

Annie Robeson -I…CAN’T…BELIEVE IT! These shots completely one-upped even MY wedding photos. (which I never thought could be possible) HOW BEAUTIFUL!

December 10, 2010 - 1:58 pm

Megan Eckers-Ok, so I’m extremely late to seeing this session and completely new to commenting on your blog! Although I must admit, I have been stalking you for a while ever since I saw your family session on Bobbi and Mike’s blog quite a while ago. This is quite possibly the most beautiful wedding I’ve ever seen. I feel like all wedding photographers should aspire to greatness like this! I am truly inspired!

P.S. You also have a BEAUTIFUL family.

March 2, 2011 - 7:25 pm

Andrea -This is my perfect dress! I have been searching the web high and low for something like this. I know you are the photographer but I was wondering if you would know where Maggie’s dress was from? You don’t even know how happy that would make me! Comment back on here, or my email is ladyany2003@gmail.com. Thanks!